It was brought to my attention by a shop mechanic that my bike could be too big for me based on how much seat post is exposed. This bike here is smaller than my last one and I though it would be a good fit.

Well, it does look like a small amount of exposed post, but as long as you can get on and off without hurting yourself the most important frame measurement is top tube length. Can you get a pic of you on the bike?

It looks like a pretty typical setup. I'm assuming that the seatpost is at the right height for your inseam.

Here's me on the bike.

It's not really a compact frame so having that amount of post showing doesn't seem unusual to me. The pic looks like it fits OK...you don't look stretched out and the seat height looks ok, although it's tough to tell with one foot on the ground. If it's comfy to you, then I wouldn't worry about it.

the amount of seatpost showing on a standard geometry frame has to be one of the most ridiculous ways of determining fit i've heard. as long as the reach is good, and you can straddle the bike you're fine.

looks fine. you have short legs.

How tall are you? How long are your legs?
I have the same bike (cool choice, by the way) in 56 cm. I'm 5-11 w/long legs. Here's how much post I have showing. Works good for me.

Sorry, bike forums ain't accepting a large sized file!

^^^ now that is one big f'n saddle bag!

I am just very confused now. While I just went and rode for 2 hours I raised my saddle up about 1 cm. It feels fine but I am not sure. Just went I think I have the bike fit process figured out I second guess myself.

There doesn't seem to be an excessive amount of seatpost showing.
How tall are you, and what is the size of your bike?

I am 5' 6.5" and have a 52cm bike. Its got a 535mm top tube.

The reach looks right, and you did ride for 2 hours (without discomfort I presume). You just have shorter legs than your torso and as long as the seat post is between the minimum and maximum insertion point its fine.

Question for the forum: OP's picture shows in the thread even when I'm logged out; but the one I inserted only shows as a link. What gives?

If it feels comfortable on long rides don't listen to what someone has to say from just looking at your seatpost. Unless you are experiencing pain or discomfort, you're probably okay.

cody
hows the face, you ridin again? good to see you back in here.

Your inseam would be more telling in terms of the amount of seat post showing; some people have a longer torso and shorter legs so you might not need to have your seat set any higher. As others have mentioned, if your reach is fine and you're not experiencing and discomfort then don't worry about it.

From what you have said and posted I suspect you are in the ballpark of good fit. And a mechanic who judges fit based on how much seatpost shows probably isn't the brightest tool in the shed, at least when it comes to fitting.

Any chance you can show a pic of you on the bike with leg fully extended at the bottom of the pedal stroke?

When I raised my saddle up durring the ride all of my contact points started to hurt; saddle and hands. As far as leg extension it felt fine, but I wasn't riding that hard either. When I am doing a hammer time ride and my saddle is up a bit high I start rocking my hips a lot.

My bars aren't really down as low as I might would like them to be in that pic up top either. I think my back should be flatter.

This is pretty much the textbook indicator of a saddle that's too high. Don't raise your saddle just because somebody thinks it should be higher.

If you feel stretched out, get a shorter stem. Seems you still have some spacers to work with (i.e. raise the stem). And get some compact bars.